Means for controlling yarns in knitting machines



Jan. 2, 1945. T. c. BROMLEY ET AL 2,366,331

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING YARNS IN KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 15, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l inventors r/Mii 7214 Attorney Jan. 2, 1945. T. c. BROMLEY ET AL 2,366,331

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING YARNS IN KNITTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheed 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1942 A florney Jan. 2, 1945. 11 c BRQMLEY ET AL 2,365,381

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING YARNS IN KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 13, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 15mm 4 II way/{$232 Attorney Patented Jan. 2, 1945 2,366,381 MEANS FOR CONTROLLING YARNS IN KNITTING MACHINES Thomas Charles Bromley and Arthur Shortland, Leicester, England, assignors to Mellor Bromley & Co. Limited, Leicester, England, a company of Great Britain Application October 13, 1942, Serial No.'461,876 In Great Britain October 16, 1941 19 Claims.

This invention relates to means for controlling yarns in knitting machines, and has reference to mechanism for use in connection with the supply of two or more yarns simultaneously to the needles, as for example a main yarn and a splicing yarn, for controlling such yarns when, by reason of some variation in the knitting operation, the tension thereon is relaxed.

The present invention is primarily intended for application to circular independent needle seamless hosiery knitting machines, for taking up slack in the main and splicing yarns during reciprocating knitting to produce heel and toe pouches.

The invention is also applicable for use in connection with feeding arrangements wherein a main yarn and a splicing yarn are introduced to the needles separately, as distinct from arrangements whereby the splicing yarn is run in with the main yarn, either by frictional contact therewith or by being twisted round it. In this connection it is sometimes desired to use a splicing yarn which is weaker than the mainyarn, and the object of the present invention is to enable this desideratum to be achieved.

The invention accordingly comprises a controlling or take-up mechanism for separat yarns wherein the yarn engaging members are so constructed, arranged and controlled as to be adapted for use in connection with yarns of different strengths, e. g., a splicing yarn weaker than the main yarn, with less risk of breaking the weaker yarn.

Some illustrative constructional examples of the invention applicable to a circular seamless hosiery machine as a take-up mechanism for a main yarn and a splicing yarn, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a yarn controlling or take-u mechanism the yarn engaging members of which are carried respectively by arms of difierent lengths coupled together and pivotaily mounted on difierent pivots,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same as seen in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view of a lever employed for holding the take-up members inoperative at required times,

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modification wherein th yarn controlling or take-up members are mounted on a pivot common to both,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the same as seen in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a detail part sectional view, taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 4, illustrating more clearly the yarn tensioning means combined with the said modified yarn controlling or take-up arrangement, and

Figures 7 and 8 are plan and side views respectively of a still further and particularly simple form of the invention.

Like parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout, the drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the take-up mechanism therein depicted includes two takeup members I and 2 consisting of rods or wires formed or, as shown, provided with yarn guiding eyes 3 at one end and carried by arms 4 and 5 of different lengths coupled together, scissorwise, between their ends by means of a pin 6 and slot 1. The arms 4 and 5 are pivotaily mounted horizontally one above the other on pins 8 and 9 inserted vertically in spaced relation in a bracket ill or a like support so that the pivot 8 for the longer arm 4 is located further away from the couplings 6, 1 than the pivot 9 for the shorter arm 5, The shorter arm is pivoted at one end, whereas the other arm is pivot d between its ends. Conveniently the bracket I0 is slotted for reception of the arms 4 and 5 and the pivot pins 8 and 9 are inserted into upper and lower portions of the bracket respectively, as shown more clearly in Figure 2. The longer arm 4 has a controlling tension spring ll connected to it. As depicted in Figure 1, the bracket I0 is mounted on an adjacent fixed part l2-of the machine so that the take-up members I and 2 extend generally towards th yarn feeding location C in the direction of a tangent to the needle circle nc-or substantially so. The total length of the take-up member I for the main yarn y exceeds the total length of the takeup member 2 for the splicing yarn so that the guiding eye for the main yarn is located further from the coupling 6, 1 than the guiding eye for the splicing yarn. The two yarns y and are fed to the needles l3 through two separate guides l4 and I5 located between the needles and the take-up members I and 2. When the yarns are being drawn upon by the needles l3 the take-up members are moved toward the needles against the action of the controlling spring II to a position in which they are disposed immediately one above another in parallel relation, but when the pull on the yarns is relaxed the take-up members are moved away from the needles by the said spring and at the same time have limited relative pivotal movement so that they become angularly disposed relatively to each other in the manner indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 1.

By reason of this compound arrangement of the yarn engaging members the main yam 1/ takes the stress or the greater part of the stress engendered by the movement of the said members against the action of the spring II when the yarns are being pulled by the needles l3, but

both of the said members take up the same amount of slack when the pull on the yarn is relaxed.

For tensioning the yarns between the bobbins or other source of supply when the take-up members I and 2 operate, there are provided" yarn trapping members comprising parallel rods or bars such as I8 andv I! one or each movable in relation to the other, and an intermediate resilient wire, blade, or spring pressed member such as I8. The rods or bars are normally held in contact with each other by a spring or springs. In the specific construction and arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the rod or bar It is pivoted on a pin I9 at one end and the .rod or bar I] is fixed at the corresponding end in the bracket It so as to extend horizontally therefrom in the same direction as the take-up members I and 2, but at a higher level. The pivoted rod or bar I8 is influenced by a compression spring 20 inserted in the bracket. This spring is arranged to act upon the end of the rod or bar I6 near the pivot I9, whereby the said rod or bar is normally caused to press upon the fixed 1 rod or bar IT. The intermediate member I8 in this example consists of a blade spring attached to the pivoted rod or bar I6 so as normally to press on the fixed rod or bar II. The rods or bars together serve to trap one of the yarns (in this case the main yam 1/), whereas the intermediate member I8 and the fixed rod or bar I'I serve to trap the other, i. e., splicing yam 11 As will be clear from a consideration of Figure 1, the yarns 11 and 1/ extending from the bobbins or like source are passed through the tensioning means before being engaged with the takeup members I and 2. Provision of any suitable character is made for opening the tensioning means against the action of the spring 20 when the take-up members I and 2 are pulled towards the. needles I3 so as to permit the yarns to run freely, and the tensioning means are automatically closed upon movement of the take-up members away from the needles when thepull on the yarns is relaxed. Conveniently, for this purpose, the tensioning means are positioned suchwise as to be acted upon by the take-up arrangement. To this end, in the example illustrated, the pivoted rod or bar I6 is provided with a lug or similar projection Iia which is so located as to be acted upon by the longer arm 4 whereby as the take-up members are moved towards and away from the needles I3 the tensioning means are automatically opened and closed.

For holding the take-up members and the tensioning means inoperative at required times, e. g., during circular knitting and all round splicing, mechanism adapted for action upon the take-up members and controlled from the timing chain or drum of the machine is provided. In this rerespect the tensioning means and the take-up members may be controlled independently, but when the tensioning means are controlled by the take-up arrangement, as hereinbefore described, it is convenient to employ mechanism common to both, e. g., associated with the take-up members. Thus, according to a simple example, applicable to the take-up arrangement and tensioning means just described, a catch lever 2I is pivoted at 22 between its ends on the sup ort I2 with its operative end 2Ia directed towards the longer arm 4 of the take-up arrangement. A spring 23 is connected to the catch lever whereby the latter is turned so that its operative end opposes the arm 4. Although, merely for convenience in illustration, the spring controlling the catch lever is depicted in Figure 2 as being a tension spring, it is to be understood that any other form of spring or springs suitably arranged to achieve the same result may be adopted. For instance, a torsion spring associated with the pivot 22 would be eminently suitable for this purpose. The tail end 2Ib of the catch lever 2I is opposed to a collar 24 on a push rod 25 .(see Figure 1) suitably guided in the machine in association with the timing chain or drum (not shown). Thus, when the take-up members I and 2 are moved towards the needles I3, the catch lever 2I springs into contact with the arm 4 and holds the take-up members in this position so long as the push rod is not operated. The catch lever is tripped to release the take-up members by an appropriate cam on the chain or drum acting through the push rod 25 and the collar 24. The operative and 2Ia of the catch lever is formed with a stop 2Ic for contact with the underside of the arm 4 to limit movement of the lever under the influence oi the associated spring 23. As will be understood, when the take-up members I and 2 are thus held, the tensioning means are also opened as hereinbefore described and held in this condition until the catch lever is tripped. If desired, the operative end of the catch lever may be formed, as shown in Figure 3, with a convex cam edge, in which instance the said lever may be arranged to act with camming action on the inner edge of the arm 4 suchwise as to take the pull of the pring II and thus relieve tension on the yarns y and y The modified constructional form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 includes a shorter take-up member 26 for the main yarn, and a longer member 21 for the splicing yarn, the two members being located one above the other as shown in Figure 5. The take-up member 26 consists of a rod or wire which is provided with a yarn guiding eye 28 and carried by an arm 29. Similarly, the member 21 consists of a rod or wire provided with a yarn guiding eye 28 and carried by an arm 30 which is somewhat longer than the arm 29. The two members 26 and 21 are pivotally mounted on a pin 3| fixed in a bracket 32. As shown in Figure 4, the shorter arm 29 is formed with a lug 29a for the connection thereto of one end of a tension spring 33 the other end of which is connected to a lug 34 on a rod 35 fixed adjacent to the'take-up members. Between the arms 29 and 38 is a collar or boss 36 for the reception of a torsion spring 31. One end 31a of this spring is connected to a sector 38 which is mounted on the pivot pin 3I and adjustably clamped to the shorter arm 29 by means of a screw 39 passed through a slot 38a in the sector; the other end 31b of the said torsion spring is engaged with the longer arm 3l1-so that the two take-up members 26 and 21 are in eifect yieldably coupled together as hereinbefore mentioned. By slackening the screw 39, adjusting the sector 38, and thereafter tightening the screw to secure the sector, the strength of the torsion spring 31 can be varied according to requirements. Thus, when the take-up members are rendered operative, as hereinbefore described, the tension spring 33 is the main take-up spring and the torsion spring 31 applies individual tension to the splicing yarn, keeping this under an even tension which can be reduced to a minimum by appropriate adjustment of the last mentioned spring. The said members can also move relatively, if necessary, while working.

For holding the take-up members 26 and 2'5 inoperative at required times, there is provided a pivoted catch lever 2i operated in a'similar way to the corresponding lever in the first dcscribed example. In the present example, however, the catch lever is straight instead of being cranked and is adapted for action upon tail-like extensions @921 and 30a formed on the shorter and longer arms 29 and 30 respectively,

A modified form of the means for tensioning the yarns between the bobbins or other source of supply and the needles, when the take-up members operate, may also be provided in lieu of those hereinbefore specifically described. This modification, which is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, comprises a short fixed bar 40 and two eccentrics M and 42 (one for each yarn) peripherally opposed to the fixed bar suchwise as to co-operate therewith. The two eccentrics are mounted to turn on the fixed rod 35 adjacent to the guiding ends of the take-up members 25 and 21. The fixed bar d extends between and is carried by the lug 3d and another similar element 63 secured upon the rod 35 in suitable spaced relation. The eccentrics may be controlled by a spring or springs or counterweighted so as to cause them normally to press on the opposing bar it. Conveniently, and as shown, each eccentric is fitted with a part 64 formed with a guiding eye 45 which part serves as a counterweight, and the yarns from the bobbins or other source of supply are threaded through the eyes d before being passed between the eccentrics ti and t2 and, the bar 40 and engaged with the controlling or take-up members 26 and 27. Appropriate means are provided for rotating the eccentrics so that the trapping means are opened to permit the yarns to run freely when the take-up members are pulled towards the needles, or are held inoperative, and the trapping means are closed by reverse rotation of the eccentrics under the action of the associated spring or springs or the weight or weights. For this purpose-in the specific arrangement illustrated-the eccentrics d! and t2 are coupled together by a pin 46, and the eccentric 42 is provided with a radial stud ll to be acted upon for turning the eccentrics. This will be clearer from a consideration of Figures 5 and 6. A lever 38 is provided adjacent to the eccentrics for action upon the stud ti and this lever is pivoted at it beneath a small block 50 carried by the fixed rod 35 and placed either directly or indirectly under the control of the timing chain or drum of the machine. Preferably the tail end etc of the said lever is shaped in the manner depicted in Figure 5 for engagement by the shorter arm 29 whereby, when the take-up member 26 is held inoperative, the lever 48 is held in contact with the stud all and the eccentrics ti and 32 are maintained in the open position. When the take-up members are released and move away from the needles, the lever 48 is likewise released and thus permits the eccentrics to turn to the closed position. In Figure 6, the eccentric a2 is shown in the closed position with the main yarn y trapped between it and the opposing bar 6t. Upon reverse movement of the tape-up members under the pull of the yarns, the lever 48 is operated and turns the eccentrics so that the yarns are again freed. By reason of this arrangement the trapping means are operated by the take-up member 26 'for the main yarn so that the takeup member is relieved of all effort in this respect and is merely subject to the resistance oiiered by its spring.

It is to be clearly understood that the modifled trapping means just described are not necessarily restricted in use to association with the particular take-up arrangement illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. They may be used in combination with any suitable arrangement of yarn controlling or take-up members constructed in accordance with this invention. For instance, they may with advantage be employed together with a take-up arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2-in lieu of the relatively mov able rods or bars i6 and ll and the intermedi ate resilient member it.

A further and particularly simple example of the improved. take-up arrangement is shown in Figures 7 and 8. As will be seen, this arrangement comprises a single pivoted arm 56 serving to carry both of the take-up rods or wires 52 and 53. The shorter rod or wire 52 is for the main yarn, while the longer rod or wirev 53 is for the splicing yarn. The common pivoted arm 59 is formed with a lug 55a for connection to a controlling tension spring 56, and also with a tail-like extension 5! b for co-operation with a catch lever of the character and for the purpose hereinbefore described. The shorter take-up rod or wire 52 is rigidly fixed within the arm 59, whereas the longer rod or wire 53 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 55 secured in the said arm. The longer rod or wire, moreover, is made to some extent resilient by reason of being coiled at its inner end 53a about the pivot pin 55 to provide what is in effect, or the equivalent of, a torsion spring. In this way individual tension is applied to the splicing yarn. .As will be understood, the arrangement is such that the two rods or wires are in efiect yieldably coupled together and can therefore move relatively, if necessary, while moving towards and from the needles about the main pivot 56. Movement in either direction of the longer rod or wire 53 in relation to the shorter rod or wire 52 is, however, limited. To this end the rod or wire 53 may, as shown, conveniently extend through a closed lateral loop 51 formed integrally with the rod or wire 52. Thus, relative movement of the rod or wire 53 in either direction will be arrested by reason of it coming into contact with the appropriate side of the loop.

The take-up arrangement of Figures 7 and 8 may be used in combination with yarn trapping means of either of the forms hereinbefore specifically described.

A yarn controlling or take-up arrangement of the improved form may be used in conjunction with means of any form usually employed in knitting machines for supplying a main yarn and a splicing yarn separately to the needles. Moreover, such an arrangement may be employed in combination With splicing mechanism of the character described in the specification of our co-pending application Ser. No. 459,996.

The invention is applicable to circular independent needle knitting machines, plain and rib, including those of the double axially opposed, e. g., superimposed, cylinder type, to machines of the stationary cylinder type as well as to machines of the rotary cylinder type, and to multifeeder machines as well as to single feeder machines, having either latch or bearded needles, and requiring mechanism for controlling yarns at the feeder or at any one or more or each of the feeders, as hereinbefore mentioned.

By suitable adaptation, and arrangement of controlling means, th invention may'also be applied to fiat knitting machines of the independent latch or bearded needle type.

What we claim then is:

1. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, a coupling connecting said members suchwise as to render them capable of limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and separate vots upon which the take-up members are mounted, said pivots being located at respectively different distances from the coupling, for the purpose herein specified.

2. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a takeup member for a yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, two arms of different lengths by which the take-up members are respectively carried, a coupling whereby said arms are connected together between their ends so as to be capable of limited relative turningmovement, and two difierent pivots upon which said arms are pivotally mounted for movement towards and from the needles of said machine, the pivot of the longer arm being located further from the coupling than the pivot of the shorter arm.

3. For a. knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, a common pivot about which said take-up members are both mounted for movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for so controlling said members as to enable them to be loaded differently, for the purpose herein specifled.

4. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, a common pivot about which said take-up members are both mounted for movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and a spring arrangement between said members whereby the latter are yieldably coupled together and thus capable of limited relative movement under working conditions, for the purpose herein specified.

5. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a main yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, a common pivot about which said take-up members are both mounted for movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, a spring of a given strength for controlling the first mentioned takeup member, and an adjustable spring for controlling the second take-up member whereby the load thereon can be varied according to requirements, the arrangement of the adjustable spring being such that said members are yieldably coupled together and thus capable of limited relative movement under working conditions, for the purpose herein specified.

6. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a main yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, a common pivot about which said take-up members are both mounted for movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, a tension spring for controlling the first mentioned take-up member for controlling and against the action 01 which both take-up members are moved towards the needles when the yarns are being drawn upon by the latter, and vice versa, and an adjustable torsion spring the second take-up member whereby the load thereon can be varied accord ing to requirements, the arrangement of said torsion spring being such that said members are yieldably coupled together and thus capable of limited relativ movement under working con-' ditions, for the purpose herein specified.

'7. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, two arms of different lengths by which the take-up members are respectively carried, a coupling whereby said arms are connected together between their ends so as to be capable of limited relative turning movement, two diiierent pivots upon which said arms are pivotally mounted for movement towards and from the needles of said machine, the pivot of the longer arm being located further from the coupling than the pivot of the shorter arm, and a controlling spring in connection with the longer arm and against the action of which the take-up members are moved towards the needles when the yarns are being drawn upon by the latter, and under the action of which said members move away from the needles when the pull of the yarns is relaxed.

8. At a yarn feeding location in a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, said members being horizontally disposed so as to extend towards the yarn feeding location in a direction transversely to the needles, a coupling connecting said members suchwise as to render them capable of limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and separate vertical pivots upon which the take-up members are mounted, said pivots being located at respectively different distances from the coupling, for the purpose specified.

9. At a yarn feeding location in a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, a second take-upmember for a weaker yarn, said members being horizontally disposed so as to extend towards the yarn feeding location in a direction transversely to the needles, a common vertical pivot about which said take-up members are both mounted for movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for s0 controlling said members as to enable them to be loaded differently, for the purpose herein specified.

10. For a knitting machine, mechanism for controlling separate yarns from a source of supply, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, means whereby said members are coupled together suchwise as to adapt them for limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for tensioning the yarns passing between the take-up members and the source of supply when said members are in operation so that the latter function to take up the slack between the needles and the tensioning means.

11. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a takeup member for a yarn, at least one other takeup member for a weaker yarn, means whereby said members are coupled together suchwise as to adapt them for limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for holding the take-up members inoperative at required times.

12. For a knitting machine, mechanism for controlling separate yarns from a source of supply, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, means whereby said members are coupled together suchwise as to adapt them for limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, means for tensioning the yarns passing between the take-up members and the source of supply when said members are in operation so that the latter function to take up the slack between the needles and the tensioning means; and means for simultaneously holding the take-up members and the tensioning means inoperative at required times.

13. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a takeup member for a yarn, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, two arms of difierent lengths by which the take-up members are respectively carried, one of said arms having a pin between its ends engaging in a slot formed in and between the ends of the other of said arms whereby the arms are coupled together scissorwise so as to be capable of limited relative turning movement, and two different pivots upon which said arms are pivotally mounted for movement towards and from the needles of said machine, the pivot of the longer arm being located further from the coupling than the pivot of the shorter arm.

14. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, a takeup member for a main yam, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, two arms of difierent lengths by which said take-up members are respectively carried, a common pivot upon which the arms are both pivotally mounted to enable said members to move together towards and away from the needles of the machine, a controlling tension spring in connection with the shorter arm, a boss between the two arms, a torsion spring which surrounds said boss and has one end thereof in engagement with the longer arm, a sector pivotally mounted upon the shorter arm and to which the other end of said torsion spring is connected, and means for adjustably clamping said sector to the shorter arm, the arrangement being such that the take-up members are yieldingly coupled together and thus capable of limited relative movement under working conditions, for the purpose herein specified. 4

15. For a knitting machine, yarn controlling mechanism comprising, in combination, an arm, a pivot upon which said arm is pivotally mounted, a take-up member for a yarn, which member is fixed in said arm, a second take-up member for a weaker yarn, said second member being pivotally mounted upon the arm, and spring means for so controlling the said arm and the second take-up member as to enable them to be loaded differently, the arrangement being such that the take-up members are capable of relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles or the machine, for the M le herein specified.

16. For a knitting machine, mechanism for controlling separate yarns from a source of supply, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, means whereby said members are coupled together suchwise as to adapt them for limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for tensioning the yarns passing between the takeup members and the source of supply when said members are in operation so that the latter function to take up the slack between the needles and the tensioning means, said tensioning means being constituted by a yarn trapping arrangement comprising two relatively movable and parallel trapping bars, spring means for normally holding said bars in contact with each other, a resilient trapping member arranged between said trapping bars, and means for opening the trapping arrangement against the action of the spring means to free the yarns when the take-up members move towards the needles, the trapping arrangement closing upon movement of said take-up members away from the needles when the pull on the yarns is released.

17. Yarn controlling mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the trapping bars are positioned suchwise as to be influenced by and opened at appropriate times by one of the take-up members.

18. For a knitting machine, mechanism for controlling separate yarns from a source of supply, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a take-up member for a yarn, at least one other take-up member for a weaker yarn, means whereby said members are coupled together suchwise as to adapt them for limited relative movement, as well as movement together towards and from the needles of said machine, and means for tensioning the yarns passing between the takeup members and the source of supply when said members are in operation so that the latter function to take up the slack between the needles and the tensioning means, said tensioning means being constituted by a yarn trapping arrangemet comprising a fixed bar, two eccentrics peripherally opposed thereto suchwise as to cooperate therewith, loading means for controlling the eccentrics and causing the latter normally to press on the opposing bar for trapping the yarns. and means for rotating the eccentrics so that the trapping arrangement is opened to free the yarns when the take-up members move towards the needles, the trapping arrangement being adapted to close to trap said yarns upon reverse rotation of the eccentrics under the influence of the associated loading means.

19. In a knitting machine, in combination, a series of needles, and means for feeding two separate yarns of definitely different strengths conjointly to the said needles at the same feeder including yarn controlling mechanism comprising a take-up member for the stronger yarn, a

"' second take-up member for the weaker yarn,

means by which the take-up members are carried and on which they are capable of movement towards and from the needles, and a coupling whereby the said members are connected so as to be adapted for such movement together and also to be capable of limited relative movement while working.

THOMAS CHARLES BROMLEY. ARTHUR SHORTLAND. 

